DGNB certification is a building assessment system developed by the German Sustainable Building Council (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen). Founded in 2007, the non-profit organisation provides certification systems for different building types and stages of the property life cycle.
The applicable requirements depend on the project: new construction, renovation, a building in use, interiors, districts or another scheme may each use a different criteria set and version. For that reason, a project should identify its exact DGNB scheme before it relies on individual criteria, weightings or thresholds.
What does DGNB certification assess?
The DGNB approach evaluates the building as a whole rather than awarding a certificate for one isolated product or measure. In the current system for new buildings, the criteria are organised into six topic areas:
- environmental quality;
- economic quality;
- sociocultural and functional quality;
- technical quality;
- process quality;
- site quality.
For the current DGNB New Construction system, environmental, economic and sociocultural/functional quality each account for 25% of the overall assessment. Technical quality and process quality each account for 10%, while site quality accounts for 5%. Other DGNB systems and earlier versions may use different criteria and weightings.
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Criteria, minimum requirements and system versions
DGNB criteria cover areas such as life-cycle environmental impacts, resource use, long-term economic viability, adaptability, indoor environmental quality, comfort, building-envelope quality, construction processes and access to the site. The detailed evidence depends on the selected scheme and version.
Some current schemes include minimum requirements that must be met in addition to the overall score. Indoor-air quality measurements, for example, form part of the minimum requirements for the current New Construction system for relevant building types. The required method and limit values must be taken from the criteria set under which the project is registered. Historic VOC or formaldehyde values should not be copied into a new project brief without that check.
How does the DGNB certification process work?
A DGNB Auditor supports the project team, coordinates the evidence and submits the documentation to the certification body. Starting early makes it easier to integrate the relevant objectives into design, procurement, construction and commissioning.
- Define the project boundary and select the applicable DGNB scheme and version.
- Register the project and appoint the required DGNB professional.
- Review the criteria, minimum requirements and evidence plan.
- Collect calculations, product information, commissioning records and measurement results.
- Submit the evidence for independent conformity assessment.
- Address review comments and receive the certification decision.
Measurements such as acoustic testing, building airtightness testing and indoor-air quality testing may contribute evidence to selected criteria. Their scope, timing and reporting format should be agreed with the DGNB Auditor against the project’s registered criteria set.
DGNB award levels
In the current DGNB New Construction system, the published overall thresholds are 50% for Silver, 65% for Gold and 80% for Platinum. Minimum performance in key topic areas also applies: 35% for Silver, 50% for Gold and 65% for Platinum. Bronze is not an award level for new-construction buildings; it is available only in selected systems for existing assets or buildings in use.
These thresholds should not be transferred automatically to every DGNB scheme. The version valid for the registered project remains the authoritative source.
What does the certificate demonstrate?
A DGNB certificate provides independent evidence of the level achieved under a defined system and version. It can support project governance, quality assurance and communication with investors, tenants or other stakeholders. It does not by itself guarantee a particular sale price, rental income or operating-cost reduction.
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